Avalanche, Alaska, Mount Blackburn

AVALANCHE

Alaska, Mount Blackburn

On June 16, 1988, a Japanese climbing party of four, led by Yoichi Tadokoro (44) were at the 3200 meter level on the Northwest Ridge of Mount Blackburn when two members were struck after they had traversed about 100 meters. They were carried down to the 2200 meter level. Toshiaki Masuko (30) was killed, and Shideo Ogawa (49) was buried. Todakoro and his roped partner, Shigeru Yamaya, were not caught, and walked out by June 22 and reported the accident to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park rangers. (Source: Conversation with Sadao Tambe)

(Editor’s Note: The same excessive snow conditions mentioned in the previous analysis affected this part of the range as well.)